India, Pakistan Key Allies in War on Terror, Bush Says

American Forces Press Service ^ | Feb 23, 2006 | Steven Donald Smith

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2006 – India and Pakistan are key allies in the long war against global terrorism and important partners in spreading democracy, President Bush told an Asia Society audience here today. Bush, who is scheduled for an upcoming trip to both countries, said the United States, India and Pakistan face a common threat in Islamic extremism and laid out how both countries are working with the U.S. to defeat this shared enemy. For instance, India and the U.S. are sharing intelligence and cooperating on law enforcement issues, the president said.

"Our two governments are sharing vital information on suspected terrorists and potential threats," he said. "And these cooperative efforts will make the Indian government more effective as a partner in the global war on terror and will make the people in both our countries more secure."

Bush emphasized that an important component to winning the war on terror is through the spread of democracy. To meet these ends, India and the U.S. launched a joint venture to promote democracy and global development called the Global Democracy Initiative.

"Under this initiative, India and the United States have taken leadership roles in advancing the United Nations Democracy Fund," he said. "The fund will provide grants to governments and civil institutions and international organizations to help them administer elections, fight corruption, and build the rule of law in emerging democracies."

India is the world's largest democracy, with vast religious and cultural diversity, which makes it a good example of how to successfully establish a multiethnic democracy, the president said.

For its part, Pakistan is fighting terrorism head-on, and has come a long way toward democracy over the past five years, Bush said. "Five years ago, Pakistan was one of only three nations that recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan," he said. "That all changed after Sept. 11."

Within two days of the terrorist attacks in the U.S., the Pakistani government committed itself to stop al Qaeda operatives at its border, share intelligence, and break off all ties with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Bush said.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf's decision to join the war against terrorism came at great personal risk because Pakistan is home to many radical Islamists who take advantage of every opportunity to create chaos and destabilize the country, Bush said.

"The United States and Pakistan understand that in the long run the only way to defeat the terrorists is through democracy," he said. "Pakistan still has a distance to travel on the road to democracy; yet it has some fundamental institutions that a democracy requires."

For instance, Bush said, Pakistanis are free to criticize their government; the country has multiple political parties, and has a "lively and generally-free press." The United States will continue to work with Pakistan to strengthen its democratic institutions, he said. Another way to engage terrorism inside Pakistan is to foster economic development and opportunity, which will reduce the appeal of radical Islam, he added.

Bush also said humanitarian efforts will help win hearts and minds in Muslim nations and pointed to America's relief efforts in Pakistan following its massive earthquake in October as a prime example. The United States military had troops on the ground aiding the victims within 48 hours, and the U.S. has pledged more than a half a billion dollars for relief and reconstruction, including $100 million in private donations from American citizens. These funds have helped improve shelter for over half a million people and feed over a million, he said.

"The terrorists have said that America is the great Satan," Bush said. "Today in the mountains of Pakistan, they call our Chinook helicopters angels of mercy."

Acts like these, along with continued cooperation among nations will help change negative perceptions, defeat terrorism, and advance the cause of freedom, he said. "We know the power of freedom to transform lives and cultures and overcome tyranny and terror," Bush said. "We can proceed with confidence because we have two partners -- two strong partners -- in India and Pakistan."

The Asia Society is a nonprofit organization that promotes U.S.-Asian relations.

[SandRat]

War News on Allied States

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

:..Pakistan face(s) a common threat in Islamic extremism.."

Pakistan is not the solution, Pakistan IS the problem. Ok I understand Bush has to say what he said for PR purposes..

[indcons]

Mega BUMP

[Doe Eyes]

Pakistan IS the problem.

Musharraf is on our side. If he goes, things get much worse.

[indcons]

"Our two governments are sharing vital information on suspected terrorists and potential threats," he said. "And these cooperative efforts will make the Indian government more effective as a partner in the global war on terror and will make the people in both our countries more secure."

Bush emphasized that an important component to winning the war on terror is through the spread of democracy. To meet these ends, India and the U.S. launched a joint venture to promote democracy and global development called the Global Democracy Initiative.

[...]

India is the world's largest democracy, with vast religious and cultural diversity, which makes it a good example of how to successfully establish a multiethnic democracy, the president said.

This friendship between the world's greatest democracy (U.S.A.) and the world's largest one (India) makes sense. Both countries are finally coming together after years of lukewarm Cold War-era friendship. The recent Indian vote against Iran and the increasing collaboration in economic and military fields are indicators of the new horizons in U.S.-Indo ties.

Despite the angst of the leftists in India and the Democrats/others in the U.S.A., the increasingly close relationships between both countries can only improve in the years ahead.

(image source: FReeper Gengis Khan)

[voletti]

"Musharraf is on our side. If he goes, things get much worse."

Then say that mush is an ally, NOT pak.
The vast majority of Achmeds on the street in Pak loathe the US, survey after survey shows.
And all that despite the generous quake aid etc.

[Siena Dreaming]

We are getting vital logistical and intelligence support from Pakistan.

Sorry if you're disappointed about that fact.

[indcons]

Ping to post #7

[Emmet Fitzhume]

You are right.

His fellow Mohammedans have tried killing him numerous times through explosions and other means of assassination.

I look forward to the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ. That way, there will be no more need for "dialogue" with Satan's children.

[Doe Eyes]

President Musharraf is our allie.

Let him go and things get much worse.

Think President Carter and the Shah of Iran.

[Hill of Tara]

"I look forward to the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ. "

Me too :)

[Hill of Tara]

thanks for the ping indcons.

Musharaff might be a US ally but Pakistan is definitely not. If he gets assassinated the anti american Muslims are going to have a lot of advanced US weapons like Harpoon missiles and The 2 new F-16MLU that we sent them.

Hopefully the US and India will become closer allies. We'll see what happens.

[river rat]

"Musharraf is on our side. If he goes, things get much worse.

The Shaw of Iran was "on our side"....

That didn't help when the inherent lunacy of Muslims threw him out...

The same is MORE than possible in ANY Muslim nation, that temporarily appears to be helpful or friendly to our interests...

If 1400 years of history has taught us anything - it is that Islam is militant, intolerant, violent and stuck in the 7th century....

Semper Fi

[river rat]

If Musharaff falls by violence - I suspect Pakistan will become the second nation subjected to Nuclear attack by the U.S...

The WMDs in Pakistan will not be permitted to fall into the hands of the lunatics..... I hope.

If nothing else, I'm sure Musharaff realizes his nation's continued existence depends on his "cooperation"..

Semper Fi

[proxy_user]

But unlike Iran, Pakistan doesn't have any oil.

If they try aa Islamic state, they will sink pretty quickly for lack of money. The Saudis aren't going to subsidize a whole country.

[Doe Eyes]

Pakistan doesn't have any oil.

Pakistan has nuclear weapons.

Do you think this is a concern, or do you think the Iran nuclear weapons issue is being blow way out of proportion?

[Hill of Tara]

I hope we dont let nukes fall into the hands of Islamists either, that would be a complete disaster.

Though it looks like Iran might get nukes before the Islamists in Paki do :(

Personally I think its time to try out some of those new nuclear bunker busters on Iran's nuke sites.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT